Date (and time, if applicable and known) the data were collected. This may be the date/time a particular examination or procedure was performed.

Date of data collection

Date or Date & Time

Record the date/time according to the ISO 8601, the International Standard for the representation of dates and times (http://www.iso.org/iso/home.html). The date/time should be recorded to the level of granularity known (e.g., year, year and month, complete date plus hours and minutes, etc.).

The frequency of unsuccessful attempts at defecation within the last three months.

Unsuccessful attempts at defecation within the last three months

Never;Less than once per month;Less than once per week but at least once per month;Once or more per week but not every day;1-3 times daily;4-6 times daily;7-9 times daily;10 times or more per day;Not applicable;Unknown;

Never;Less than once per month;Less than once per week but at least once per month;Once or more per week but not every day;1-3 times daily;4-6 times daily;7-9 times daily;10 times or more per day;Not applicable;Unknown;

Alphanumeric

Choose one. To be considered as one attempt the bowel emptying procedure should be separated from the previous bowel emptying procedure by some other activity. The code "Not applicable" is mainly for individuals with stomas.

The frequency of any sense of incomplete rectal emptying after defecation within the last three months.

Incomplete rectal emptying after defecation within the last three months

Daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but at least once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but at least once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Alphanumeric

Choose one. Most individuals with complete SCI do not have any subjective sense of rectal filling. In such cases the code "Never" and not the code "Unknown" should be used. The code "Not applicable" is mainly for individuals with stomas.

The frequency of abdominal pain/discomfort within the last three months.

Abdominal pain discomfort within the last three months

Daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but at least once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but at least once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Alphanumeric

Choose one. Abdominal pain or discomfort is a common symptom in individuals with SCI but also in chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome. It should be documented separately from abdominal bloating and perianal symptoms covered by those specific variables. In some individuals abdominal pain is an indirect signal of the need to defecate. In such cases it is covered both by that specific variable in the Bowel Function Basic SCI Data Set and here. In subjects unable to feel abdominal pain the term "Never" should be used.

The frequency of any perianal pain during defecation within the last three months.

Perianal pain during defecation within the last three months

Daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but at least once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but at least once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Alphanumeric

Choose one. Most individuals with complete SCI are unable to feel perianal pain during defecation. In such cases the code "Never" and not the code "Unknown" should be used. Indirect indicators of perianal pain during defecation such as perspiration, spasms or headache are not registered here. The code "Not applicable" is mainly for individuals with stomas.

The frequency of fecal incontinence to liquid stools within the last three months.

Frequency of incontinence to liquid stools within the last three months

Two or more episodes per day;Once daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but more than once per month;Once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Two or more episodes per day;Once daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but more than once per month;Once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Alphanumeric

Choose one. If the individual has not had liquid stools within the last three months the code "Never" and not the code "Unknown" should be used. In individuals with episodes of fecal incontinence to liquid stools before the last three months without any episodes within in the last three months the code "Never" and not the code "Less than once per month" be should used. The code "Not applicable" is mainly for individuals with stomas.

The frequency of fecal incontinence to solid stools within the last three months.

Frequency of incontinence to solid stools within the last three months

Two or more episodes per day;Once daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but more than once per month;Once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Two or more episodes per day;Once daily;Not every day but at least once per week;Not every week but more than once per month;Once per month;Less than once per month;Never;Not applicable;Unknown;

Alphanumeric

In individuals with episodes of fecal incontinence to solid stools before the last three months without any episodes within the last three months the code "Never" and not the code "Less than once per month" should used. The code "Not applicable" is mainly for individuals with stomas.

The free-text field related to 'Bowel care facilitators past three months type' specifying other text. The indicator of whether the type of bowel care facilitator was practiced regularly within the past three months.

Other, specify

Alphanumeric

For each bowel care facilitator indicate if it was used regularly within the past three months.

The average time duration in minutes during bowel movement that stool intermittently or continuously (in the case of a single defecation) comes out with or without assistance within the last three months.

Average time during bowel movement that stool intermittently or continuously comes out with or without assistance within the last three months

Numeric Values

Record in time duration in minutes based on each individual's own assessment of time consumption. This element begins at the end of the previous element (Bowel care initiation to stool comes out past three months average duration).